Simmons Foundation grant to aid youth
Simmons First Foundation will award a $25,000 grant to expand youth violence intervention. The presentation will be made at noon today in lobby of the Jack Jones Juvenile Justice Center, 301 E. Second Ave.
“Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention and Sixth Division Juvenile Court have announced a new initiative aimed at juveniles who are on the brink of entering the criminal justice system,” according to a news release.
“The Pine Bluff Youth Group Violence Intervention (YGVI) Expansion is a program that aims to reduce violence and homicides involving groups of young people. The Pine Bluff YGVI Expansion pilot, modeled after the program in Hennepin County, Minn., was created to provide services to young people at an earlier point, by creating a pathway to intervention for those who are not already on probation,” according to the release.
Participation in the YGVI is voluntary and the goal is to help 150 youth. YGVI will initially receive referrals from school officials where there is an opportunity for preemptive intervention and support to the juveniles’ families as well.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
YGVI participants will work with counseling services, United Family Services, and WITT providers (Whatever it Takes Together).
YGVI involves direct contact with groups involved in violence, and includes a moral message against violence, a warning from law enforcement about the consequences of further violence, and support and outreach for those who want to leave the cycle of violence.
GVI partners include: Pine Bluff Police Department, Office of the Pine Bluff Mayor, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Division of Community Corrections Adult Probation and Parole Department, Sixth Division Circuit Court-Juvenile Division Juvenile Intake and Probation, First Division Circuit Court-Criminal Division, 11th West Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Pine Bluff City Attorney’s Office, Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System, Family Church-Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff School District, Watson Chapel School District, United Family Services-community based provider, and Group Violence Intervention director.
WITT (Whatever It Takes Together) providers include: Neighbor to Neighbor, First Ward Living Grace Pantry, St. John AME Food Pantry, House of Bread Church food pantry, Departments of Health and Human Services, TOPPS, Pine Bluff Housing Authority, Healing Hearts and Spirits, Exodus Life, Superior Counseling, New Beginnings, JCCA, PAT Center, The Pointe, UAM McGehee Adult Education, SOAR program, Turning Point, DePaul USA, and Arkansas Workforce Services.
Sharks move up to No. 21 in NJCAA poll
Southeast Arkansas College’s men’s basketball team moved up three spots to No. 21 in the latest NJCAA Division II top-25 poll.
The Sharks (11-2, 3-1 in Region 2), who debuted in the national poll last month, ended a 23-day break last Monday by defeating Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, 77-62. Their game at Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden was postponed to Jan. 25 due to last week’s winter storm.
SEARK’s games at Shorter College in North Little Rock, originally scheduled for this Monday, have been moved to tonight. The women’s game will tip off at 5:30 p.m., with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.
Chamber seeks Women’s Day nominees
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce seeks nominees for its International Women’s Day. Details will come soon for the celebration, according to a news release.
The Chamber will honor 10 professional women who are making their mark in the county. The categories are:
Woman in Healthcare
Woman in Arts
Woman in Finance/Banking
Woman Business Owner
Woman in Education
Woman in Manufacturing
Woman in Non-Profit and Community Leadership
Woman in Hospitality
Woman in Public Service
Woman in Professional Services (accounting, marketing, law, etc.)
Once the Chamber receives nominations, they will send the nominee a notice to submit their resume and a 500-800-word essay that elaborates on the nominee’s documented contributions.
Nominations are due Friday. Details: Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce (870) 535-0110 or jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com.
Pantry reschedules giveaway
Due to the inclement weather, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., rescheduled its Jan. 11 food distribution to Jan. 18.
The church’s Raven’s Nest Food Pantry will give away food Jan. 18 from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The pantry is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
Pleasant Grove to show ‘The Forge’
The community is invited to watch “The Forge” from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1801 Indiana St. Admission is free, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
“A film directed by Alex Kendrick, ‘The Forge’ tells the story of Isaiah Wright (played by Aspen Kennedy), a 19-year-old who lives for basketball and video games,” according to a description on IMDb.com Inc.
“A year out of high school, he still has no job, no plans, and no idea how to be a man. At odds with his single mom, Cynthia (played by Priscilla C. Shirer), Isaiah is given an ultimatum – to step up or move out. Feeling the pull from his friends and the push from his mom, Isaiah is hired by Moore Fitness, but has no idea how the owner will personally impact his life. With the prayers of his mother and unexpected guidance from his new mentor, Isaiah is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God might have a greater purpose for his life,” the website said.
The Rev. Dennis Wilson is the pastor at Pleasant Grove.
NAACP to host MLK Breakfast
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 20 at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 W. Hill St. The breakfast is free and open to the general public.
The Rev. Kevin Crumpton, the host pastor, will be the guest speaker, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. Ivan Whitfield is the president of the Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP.